Req 1g — Hunter Education and State Hunting Laws
This requirement has two parts: how you get the information and what you do with it. You have two paths for gathering the information, and then you must complete both sub-requirements 1g1 and 1g2 regardless of which path you take.
Two Ways to Meet the “Or” Condition
Option 1 — Complete a state hunter education course. Most states offer hunter education either in person or online. The course covers firearms safety, hunting laws, ethics, and wildlife management. Completing it earns you a hunter education certificate that is required to purchase a hunting license in most states. This is the recommended path if you have any interest in hunting—the certificate never expires and opens doors.
Option 2 — Obtain a copy of your state’s hunting laws. Every state publishes a hunting regulations digest each year. You can download it from your state’s fish and wildlife agency website or pick up a printed copy where licenses are sold. This document contains all the information you need for requirements 1g1 and 1g2.
Talk with your counselor before committing to a path. If you have already completed hunter education, you are all set. If not, the course is the richer learning experience—but the digest alone satisfies the requirement.
Requirement 1g1
Your state’s hunting regulations will cover several main categories. Look for and be ready to explain each of these:
Seasons: Dates when specific species may be legally hunted. Seasons vary by species, weapon type (archery, muzzleloader, general), and sometimes by region within the state.
License and tag requirements: Who must purchase a license, what tags (if any) are required for specific game, and what age exemptions exist (some states exempt hunters under a certain age from license fees).
Legal shooting hours: Hunting is typically restricted to daylight hours or defined windows around sunrise and sunset. This varies by species.
Method of take restrictions: What types of firearms or ammunition are allowed for each species. For example, some states prohibit certain calibers for deer, or require non-toxic shot for waterfowl.
Special firearms laws: Some states have restrictions on semi-automatic rifles for big game, magazine capacity limits, or requirements on projectile type (e.g., copper bullets in certain areas to reduce lead exposure in condor habitat).
Trespass and land access rules: Where you are and are not allowed to hunt, and how to obtain permission to hunt private land.
Requirement 1g2
Your state regulations will have a complete list of game species. Typical categories include:
- Big game: deer (whitetail, mule deer, or black-tailed depending on region), elk, black bear, turkey, pronghorn, moose, bighorn sheep (varies widely by state)
- Small game: rabbit, squirrel, pheasant, grouse, quail, dove
- Migratory birds: waterfowl (ducks, geese), woodcock, snipe—these are regulated federally through the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and state regulations
- Furbearers: coyote, fox, raccoon, beaver (varies by state)
- Predators: mountain lion, wild boar (varies greatly by state)
Your list should reflect your actual state. Don’t list animals that aren’t found or legally hunted in your region. Your counselor will know if your list is accurate for your area.
Preparing for Your Counselor Discussion
Bring your hunter education certificate or a printed/downloaded copy of your state’s regulations to your counselor meeting. Be prepared to explain—not just recite—what the main laws mean and why they exist. Show that you understand the connection between these rules and wildlife conservation from Req 1f.